Learn all about animals in Camp Fun Zone. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Let Freedom Ring Exhibit & Salute to Heroes: This patriotic exhibit on display daily honors those serving our country and those who have been lost in the fight. The exhibit features pieces of steel beam from the World Trade Center and a tribute video followed by a fireworks and laser show at 8:20 p.m. every night. The exhibit is outside the Hangar. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Chocolate Unwrapped: Beans, Bars & Bon Bons: This exhibit will look at how decadent chocolate desserts are created from the cocoa bean up. There will be demonstrations by Irvine-based Xan Confections and other chocolatiers. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Chocolate Unwrapped: Beans, Bars & Bon Bons: This exhibit will look at how decadent chocolate desserts are created from the cocoa bean up. There will be demonstrations by Irvine-based Xan Confections and other chocolatiers. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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It isn't a trip to the fair unless you visit the Centennial Farm. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Garden & Floral Pavilion may look boring but it's actually kind of fun. If you've got rambunctious kids, head straight to the middle of this area, where they have a “touch table” – this year, that's a tall stand full of fruits and over-sized vegetables that can be picked up and touched. The rest of the displays are winning pieces and should not be handled. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Rides are expensive. For those with budgetary constrictions, I suggest setting expectations with the kids ahead of time – 1 or 2 big rides and 1 or 2 small rides should suffice, especially with so much else to look at. Or, plan ahead and go on a day when there is a special on ride wristbands. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Let the kids feed the pets at one of the petting zoos inside the fair. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Let the kids feed the pets at one of the petting zoos inside the fair. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Inside Camp Fun Zone there are lots of interactive stations, including constructing a sailboat that you can float. ROXANNE HACK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

It isn't quite summer until you've been to the OC Fair. Peeping the huge Ferris wheel from the 55 freeway, you know what's inevitable: huge food, creaky rides and games you're certain you can master.

While a majority of the fair is pretty family-friendly, there are a few things to remember before you head out with the kids.

Things you won't want to miss:

Camp Fun Zone – By far my favorite kid-centric area of the fair. It's in a big tent at the back, in between the kiddie-ride area in Family Fair Way and the musical events inside the Hangar, where they play fun, dance-inducing music throughout the day and host tribute bands and more at night. (Get the schedule at ocregister.com/fair.)

There are many different interactive stations in Camp Fun Zone, for kids of all ages. Right in the middle is an over-sized sandbox with toys and cars to climb on, perfect for the toddler and preschool-age kids. You can also see and touch live reptiles here, as well as learn about various animals.

Other don't-miss stations: marble painting, where you can create your own masterpiece, then move on to the display of winning art pieces; sailboat-making, where you construct a small sailboat, put it in a strip of water and use a straw to propel it from one end to another; and, just for fun, the water-balloon drop, which you need two people for – one to hit the target, the other to sit under the water balloon so it has someone to fall on. (Yes, you'll get wet – and then you'll have your turn!)

Centennial Farm – Another must-see kid attraction, this one is located at the very front of the fair, just east of Pacific Amphitheatre. There are a few different features here to spend time with as well.

Millennium Barn is a good place to start. Here they feature a leather workshop (with lots of loud pounding, so if you have noise-sensitive kids, I'd suggest skipping this), a fake cow you can milk and a few other interactive stations.

Garden & Floral Pavilion may look boring but it's actually kind of fun. If you've got rambunctious kids, head straight to the middle of this area, where they have a "touch table." This year, that's a tall stand full of fruits and oversize vegetables that can be picked up, although the rest of the displays are winning pieces and should not be handled.

Of course, you can't skip the Animal Pens, where you can pet all kinds of cute barnyard creatures – many of which are quite talkative. The pigs are by far the main attraction here, but there are quite a few to see.

If your kids are interested, walk them through the garden area, where you'll find pretty much any vegetable growing, including an entire salad area with various types of lettuce, as well as fruits.

Livestock – There's a schedule for the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, which usually starts every two hours or so. There's also a petting zoo as well as a few other live animal exhibits.

Hidden gems:

Collections – Gallery 15, near the Centennial Farm, looks from the front like it's just some flowers on display, but this is a room with prize-winning collections. Kids might enjoy finding their favorites in bulk, from "Lord of the Rings" memorabilia to Pez dispensers. There's also a table set up with a large puzzle being built by visitors, as well as a smaller table with a simpler puzzle for kids.

Chocolate Exhibit – Located in the Exhibit Promenade (Main Mall), this confection display is a sight to see. It's mostly geared toward adults, but there are a few key elements kids might get a kick out of – chiefly the huge pieces of chocolate hanging on the wall. In the history of chocolate, there are also a few things the kids might be able to point out, such as a note to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and a splash of M&Ms throughout.

Things to remember:

Kids get in free on Thursdays (regular price is $6, but kids 5 and under are always free). General admission is $11 - or you can win free tickets from OC Moms. Enter our sweepstakes now through July 27.

You can bring snacks and drinks into the fair, but no coolers. Part of the fun is the food, but for kids with allergies or picky palettes, I'd suggest bringing your own treats. (Plus, that's considerably cheaper.)

Smoking is allowed in the fair, so if your family is sensitive to that, be aware and try your best to steer clear.

Changing tables are available at most restrooms, but the cleanest and most private is the Baby Convenience area, located at the west side of the Hangar. It's relatively quiet, and there is a curtained-off area with couches for breastfeeding mothers.

Rides are expensive. For those with budgetary constrictions, I suggest setting expectations with the kids ahead of time – one or two big rides and an equal number of small rides should suffice, especially with so much else to look at. Another option: plan ahead and go on a day when there are specials on ride wristbands. (See all deals and discounts for entrance and ride tickets.)

There are also tons of toys and products available, so unless you want to go home with a huge inflatable banana that I guarantee won't fit in the closet, you'll want to set some expectations with the kids on purchases as well.

Lastly, it will be crowded. I went in the middle of a Wednesday and it was packed. Be prepared to sit through a bit of traffic getting there. It seems they fill up the A and B parking lots first, so make your way over to Fairview Street instead and enter through lots C and D lots (only cash is accepted). You can also park across the street at Orange Coast College if you're up for a walk.

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